344 Iberbaceous plants* 



and of a more compact habit than the shell flower. They 

 must be grown in a well-drained, sandy soil, in beds that 

 should be covered with leaves in winter. 



There are several showy and perfectly hardy American 

 species that may be grown in shrubberies or borders in light, 

 well-drained soil. The best are : P. Coboea, flowers two 

 inches long, purple or sometimes white. Height one or two 

 feet. P. grandiflorus, as tall as the preceding species ; 

 flowers showy, lilac-purple. P. Hartwegii, a Southern spe- 

 cies, somewhat tender ; may be wintered in a frame and 

 planted out in beds in summer. Flowers very beautiful 

 scarlet-crimson, panicled. Height two feet. 



THE ACANTHUS FAMILY. 



Acanthe, Acanthus mollis. An old-fashioned plant with 

 pretty, large, heart-shaped, lobed leaves, forming a fine mass 

 of foliage. Flowers insignificant, in whorls collected in 

 long, erect spikes. For sheltered positions in shrubberies 

 only, in good sandy loam protected with a covering of 

 leaves in winter. 



THE MINT FAMILY. 



Lavender, Lavandula vera. A small, sweet-scented 

 shrub used for edging borders and walks in kitchen gardens. 

 Forms a bushy, grayish shrub one or two feet high with 

 linear-lanceolate leaves and numerous slender spikes of 

 pale blue flowers. Increased by means of seeds. When 

 planted for edging it should be trimmed into a low, close 

 hedge for which purpose it is very desirable. 



Peppermint, Meniha piperita. Cultivated on account of 

 its fragrant leaves ; spreads readily by means of running 



